A History: Midsummer Day (24th June)

Midsummer Day (June 24th) is a celebration of summer, enjoyed throughout Europe. It is close to the Summer Solstice and has pre-Christian, Pagan roots. It celebrates the midpoint of the growing season; it is half-way between planting and harvesting.

It is also the feast of St. John the Baptist within the Christian Church, and celebrations begin the night before on the 23rd June, which is known as St. John’s Eve (and Midsummer Eve). Saint John was born six months before Jesus in the calendar year, and predicted the birth of Christ, later baptising him in the Jordan River. Saint John is seen by many Christians as someone who prepared the way for Jesus.

It is believed that the custom of lighting of fires in honour of St. John first happened in England in the 13th Century. One particular monk in Gloucestershire details how the bonfires drove away dragons. The bonfires did more than this - they united communities; bringing people together in celebration to eat, drink and be merry.

Alongside the bonfire celebrations doors were decorated with greenery and flower garlands, interspersed with pretty glass lamps. Bathing in water (to represent Jesus’ baptism) and watching the sunrise were all traditional activities.

Midsummer and St. John’s Day celebrations happen all around the world and are particularly important in Scandinavia and some parts of the U.K. although the date has been changed in some countries, and falls somewhere between the 19th and 26th of June.

Sending love and blessings to you,

Wren. X 

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